MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Heavy rains that hit the Eastern Panhandle Tuesday evening shut down roads and forced schools to get off to a delayed start Wednesday.
Several roads became impassable, according to Eddie Gochenour, director of the Berkeley County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
“As of this morning, Route 11 near Berkeley Station was closed; Route 9 near Hedgesville High, Douglas Grove Road, Golf Course Road and Henshaw Road in Inwood had at least one lane closed overnight,” Gochenour said during an appearance on Panhandle Live on WEPM Radio. “Some roads have been eroded by as much as five feet.
Residents in Fairlawn Gardens Apartments had to be evacuated and a temporary shelter was set up at the Berkeley 2000 Recreation Center.
Gochenour said some of those in the shelter will be able to return to their homes, but two buildings have to have the power shut off by the power company before work can begin on getting residents back in.
Gochenour said with all the rain the region has had this summer, the ground couldn’t absorb Tuesday night’s rain.
Story by Marsha Kavalek